FEMA Cache

The FEMA cache is standardized by FEMA and utilized during all federal deployments and some state deployments. This cache weighs nearly 100,000 pounds and is worth over $7 million. It is specifically designed to allow a task force to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours of a deployment, and operate with assistance for up to 14 days. The FEMA cache is divided into different types of equipment, described below.

Medical

Medical primarily provides assistance to ensure the well-being of task force members and immediate care necessary for victims

Supplies are tailored for an austere environment and lifesaving modalities for crush victims

Search

Search primarily utilizes several electronic tools that enhance the searchers’ abilities to locate survivors in parallel effort with the Canine Search Teams.

Supplies include snake-like cameras (used to peer into void spaces that personnel and canines cannot access), thermal imaging cameras (used to find survivors that are warmer than their surroundings when there is low visibility), sensitive listening devices (utilized to help triangulate the area where survivors are buried deeply in a rubble pile).

Logistics

Logistics take care of any and all needs that the team requires to safely and successfully accomplish their mission.

Logistics is responsible to establishing a Base of Operations (called a BoO), the BoO can be a series of specialized tents or can be an existing fixed facility. The BoO is the brain-center of the Task Force, Command & Plans is based there and the time typically eats and sleeps there when not engaged in field operations.

Supplies that Logistics carries includes sleeping bags, cots, food, water, cold weather gear, as well as many different items that might be used in the field and may require replacement like blades, bits, and replacement parts that are critical to the continued operation of the entire equipment cache.

Hazardous Materials

HazMat primarily monitors the environment for any signs of danger towards victims or task force members